HBC Hosts Live Simulcast of Wallis v. Mohler Justice Debate on October 27

     On Thursday night, October 27, at 8:00 p.m. (please note this time change from previously announced time of 7:00 p.m.), Highland Baptist Church will host a live-streaming simulcast of the Henry Center Trinity Debates between Jim Wallis, President and C.E.O. of Sojourners, and Dr. R. Albert Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with the topic, Is Social Justice an Essential Part of the Mission of the Church?  Wallis and Mohler are two of the leading yet opposing voices on the role of religion and politics.  This event will take place in Fellowship Hall.

     Jim Wallis will take the “Yes” position, representative of more progressive Christianity, and Al Mohler will take the “No” position, representative of more conservative Christianity.

     The Trinity Debates’ Henry Center for Theological Understanding describes the debates as follows:
     The growing sentiment among many today is that Jesus preached “good news to the poor,” and was indeed among the poor and marginalized. These Christians believe that the implications of these facts should renew the church’s understanding of the gospel and its mission. For others, this blueprint conjures up concerns about 20th century liberal Protestantism and a watering down of the gospel’s message of salvation. The defining mission of the church, for them, continues to be the sharing of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to all nations, generations, and social classes. The issue of social justice, though important, is not to be considered as an essential part of the mission of the church.

     The Trinity Debates are a series of discussions on challenging issues related to the church, theology, and the Christian life. Organized by the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding, these conversations are part of the organization’s mission “to advance Christian wisdom in all areas of life and thought—in short, to enable people to apply the knowledge of God and themselves gleaned from Scripture in the rough and tumble of life.”

     This is a community-wide event, and all are invited to engage in the conversation about social justice and its role in the mission of the church. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, please visit the debate website at http://www.henrycenter.org/programs/trinity-debates.